AWC Trust general participation requirements
Please note: The following requirements are a brief summary of the participation, eligibility and waiting period requirements for all AWC Trust plans. Final interpretation of any provision is governed by the master contract. Please contact AWC Trust staff for complete information on the plan rules and requirements.
Employer requirements
Employee requirements
Employer requirements
Types of employers that can participate:
- A city, town or quasi municipal entity may participate in the AWC Trust health plans.
- All sizes of employers are accepted.
- Cities, towns and quasi municipal entities must be a member of AWC to participate.
Employer criteria and requirements:
- Quasi-municipal entities may be eligible to apply for enrollment with the Trust. Strict criteria are used to determine entrance. A non-city entity application must be completed, and if eligible, will be brought before the AWC Trust Board of Trustees for review.
- 75% of the employees must participate in an employer-sponsored health plan.
- A member employer may break out defined work groups or bargaining units so long as:
- The work group or bargaining unit consists of at least five (5) employees.
- Special rules for departments consisting of LEOFF I participants.
- Employers must pay their monthly premium bills no later than the 10th of that month.
- Employers with over 250 employees must provide a minimum of 1 year notice to terminate participation in the Trust.
Required forms for employers:
- Cities, towns and quasi municipal entities must approve, by resolution, the AWC Trust Health Care Program’s Interlocal Agreement for participation in the self-insured programs (medical, Delta Dental, vision).
- If a new city or town joins the AWC Trust, they must fill out an AWC Employer Master Participation Agreement. This agreement will identify city policies that differ with AWC standard policies, and will ensure adherence to all Trust underwriting rules.
- A new AWC Employer Master Participation Agreement must also be filled out if any plan changes are to be made at a city or town. Changes can include, but are not limited to:
- Breaking out a work unit that is on a different medical plan than the rest of the employees,
- Adding coverage for elected officials,
- Adding domestic partner coverage, and
- Any changes (including termination) to medical, dental, vision, life, LTD or EAP coverage with the Trust.
Employee requirements
Types of employees that can/cannot be covered:
- All active regular employees working a minimum of 20 hours per week are eligible to participate.
- Seasonal employees working a minimum of 20 hours per week are eligible to participate.
- Contract and temporary employees are not eligible to participate.
- Domestic Partner health care coverage is required by state law (RCW 48.44.900). An AWC Trust member employer may choose to adopt a city-wide personnel policy identifying a more generous domestic partner policy.
Required forms for employees
- AWC Combined Insurance Enrollment Form must be completed for new employee benefit enrollment.
- Changes to their existing benefits, including adding or dropping a dependent, or changing health plans.
- Employees must submit dependent verification documentation for continued dependent enrollment.
Governance
The Trust Agreement is the Trust’s legal governing document. It contains information relating to the formation of the Trust, the joint self-insured Health Care Program, Board of Trustees responsibilities and powers, Employee Benefits Advisory Committee responsibilities and powers, final appeal process, employer membership requirements and more.
Find out more about Trust governance and view the Trust Agreement.